GERALD (JERRY) FLOYD BENNETT, September 4, 1939 – July 27, 2025
Jerry was the 4th of 6 children born to John Ray Bennett and Isabel R Steed Bennett of Spring Coulee, Alberta. He is predeceased by both of his parents and his older siblings, Don, Bill and Corrinne (Chipman). He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Taylor Bennett, his brothers Richard Bennett and Brian Bennett, and his children, John (Gina), Cathy (Teddy Witbeck), Tom (Mindy), Barbara (Trevor Nysetvold) and Becky (Stewart West), 29 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.
Jerry grew up on a farm 3 miles east and 2 miles south of Spring Coulee, Alberta. He learned to work from a very young age and raised chickens, rabbits, pigs, and by the age of 14 he raised cattle. He went on to become a very industrious farmer and owned 3½ sections of land and cow-calf herds of up to 80 cows and many feeder cattle. He employed many extended family members on the farm over the summers, which was a great blessing to them and to his family. His son Tom went on to farm with Jerry for many years before Jerry retired. In 2010 they celebrated 100 years of the Bennett family farm.
As a child, Jerry attended schools in Spring Coulee and Magrath. He then attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, graduating with Distinction. He was a student of farming and ranching all his adult life and was known for his smart business decisions and his industrious work ethic.
He served in his community as a Director on the Boards of the Spring Coulee and Bradshaw Rural Telephone Association, and of the Magrath Co-op. He also served for 35 years on the Board of the Chief Mountain Gas Co-op. He was a good neighbor and generous to all, giving his time, talents and resources to many people over the years.
Jerry was raised as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and married his sweetheart, Shirley Taylor, in the Cardston Alberta Temple on July 7, 1960. He served as Branch President of the Spring Coulee Branch from 1963 to 1975 and served in many other church callings including being a temple worker for 13 years and a full-time missionary with Shirley in California. His greatest work and joy in life was raising his children, who he and Shirley taught to work hard, have fun, climb mountains, live the gospel of Jesus Christ and raise good families of their own.
Jerry and Shirley moved from the farm to the Diamond Willow Lodge in Magrath in 2022 and in 2024 to the Good Samaritan Garden Vista Home to accommodate their health needs. He had many friends there and was provided with excellent care by the wonderful staff at both facilities. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Ken Dahl and Dr. Zach Gorham for their assistance over the years.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Garden Place Chapel, Magrath (170 N Center St.) Friends may meet the family from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Magrath Cemetery.
Jerry grew up on a farm 3 miles east and 2 miles south of Spring Coulee, Alberta. He learned to work from a very young age and raised chickens, rabbits, pigs, and by the age of 14 he raised cattle. He went on to become a very industrious farmer and owned 3½ sections of land and cow-calf herds of up to 80 cows and many feeder cattle. He employed many extended family members on the farm over the summers, which was a great blessing to them and to his family. His son Tom went on to farm with Jerry for many years before Jerry retired. In 2010 they celebrated 100 years of the Bennett family farm.
As a child, Jerry attended schools in Spring Coulee and Magrath. He then attended the University of Alberta in Edmonton and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, graduating with Distinction. He was a student of farming and ranching all his adult life and was known for his smart business decisions and his industrious work ethic.
He served in his community as a Director on the Boards of the Spring Coulee and Bradshaw Rural Telephone Association, and of the Magrath Co-op. He also served for 35 years on the Board of the Chief Mountain Gas Co-op. He was a good neighbor and generous to all, giving his time, talents and resources to many people over the years.
Jerry was raised as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and married his sweetheart, Shirley Taylor, in the Cardston Alberta Temple on July 7, 1960. He served as Branch President of the Spring Coulee Branch from 1963 to 1975 and served in many other church callings including being a temple worker for 13 years and a full-time missionary with Shirley in California. His greatest work and joy in life was raising his children, who he and Shirley taught to work hard, have fun, climb mountains, live the gospel of Jesus Christ and raise good families of their own.
Jerry and Shirley moved from the farm to the Diamond Willow Lodge in Magrath in 2022 and in 2024 to the Good Samaritan Garden Vista Home to accommodate their health needs. He had many friends there and was provided with excellent care by the wonderful staff at both facilities. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Ken Dahl and Dr. Zach Gorham for their assistance over the years.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday August 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Garden Place Chapel, Magrath (170 N Center St.) Friends may meet the family from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Magrath Cemetery.